Champions League Triumph Through the Eyes of Steve Komphela and Fábio Fernandes
Author: Erica MathyeMamelodi Sundowns’ CAF Champions League triumph was not only a victory on the pitch but also the product of a technical team operating with meticulous coordination under head coach Miguel Cardoso.
Among the prominent voices on the bench were Assistant Coach Fábio Fernandes and Senior Coach Steve Komphela, two men whose paths to Rabat could not have been more different, yet whose stories converged on one unforgettable night.
Steve Komphela: “This is a legacy that will live on forever.”
For Komphela, the 2026 triumph marked the end of a long, emotional climb. Years of semi-final exits, setbacks and a painful runner-up finish had shaped him into one of the most battle-tested figures in the Sundowns structure.

So when the final whistle blew in Rabat, the moment struck him as one of relief and achievement, along with the realisation that there was still more work to do to preserve the legacy.

“I do not think there are words that can describe the significance of bringing the CAF Champions League title back, not only to South Africa but to Southern Africa. This is legacy, forever. It is something no one can take away from the Club. The dignity that this achievement has brought to the game in South Africa is huge.”

Even as he acknowledged the disappointment of missing out on the league title, Komphela emphasised the mental steel that carried the group through a brutal season.

“People overlook how difficult it is to get here (to the pinnacle of African football). Our circumstances were extremely tough, but we stayed focused. We told ourselves the main focus was this one—and we never lost sight of it.”

The Kroonstad-born coach credited the Club’s values for keeping the team aligned under pressure: “One of the five pillars from the Motsepe family is excellence — and in excellence there is no compromise. When there is an opportunity to win, we must win. While we are disappointed about the Betway Premiership, we are delighted to have delivered the big fish.”

And in classic Komphela fashion, he widened the lens beyond football. “The contribution of the Motsepe family goes beyond football — to the arts, society and business. One of their values is printed on our chests: Ubuntu - Botho. What they do is life-changing. They deserve recognition and congratulations.” Fábio Fernandes: “Third time was a charm.”
For Fernandes, the victory was personal — the culmination of a journey that began years earlier with Cardoso at Espérance de Tunis, where they reached a CAF Champions League final but fell to Al Ahly.

Lightning struck twice when he reached the final again with Coach Miguel at Sundowns in 2025, when another final slipped away against Egyptian side Pyramids FC. The third attempt became the breakthrough.

“Winning the Champions League is a big moment. Coach Miguel and I have been fighting for this title since we arrived in Africa. Maybe because we were together last season, we understood the pain of losing to Pyramids and Al Ahly. The team showed character, resilience, and maturity and it came from last year’s experience.”

He praised the culture inside Chloorkop — a blend of professionalism and humanity that he believes separates Sundowns from the rest.

“The people here are so kind. Everyone knows when it is time to work and when it is time to enjoy. That balance is what got us this far.”

With the trophy secured, Fernandes allowed himself a rare pause. “I want to forget football for a bit and spend time with my family in Portugal. I just want to relax before next season because we know how heavy the demands will be.”Komphela and Fernandes represent two sides of the same story — one shaped by endurance, the other by redemption. Their voices reveal the truth behind the second star, both agreeing that it was not won through tactics or talent alone, but through memory, pain, persistence and a shared refusal to let history repeat itself.